I am a 23-year-old college graduate living at home with my parents, four siblings, two dogs, and a bird. Why? Because I cannot fully support myself financially, so I am staying at home until I can afford a place of my own.

The thing is, I'm not alone. Apparently I'm kinda the statistic for a person between the ages of 18 and 34. TIME Magazine reported that more young people are living at home with mom and dad than any time since 1940. 2014 data from The Pew Research Center claims that "36.4% of women ages 18 to 34 lived at home, while 42.8% of young men also resided with family."

In 1940, young women were less likely to go to college, and stayed home until they were married. Today, women are five times more likely to attend college now than in 1940, but the high cost of education is a major factor in deciding to leave the nest. The irony is not lost, folks. Student loans are pretty much the only reason I am still with mama and papa bear.

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